Novelty sign



March 10, 1942. s, F, ARBUCKLE 2,275,934

NOVELTY SIGN Filed April 1957 3 Sheets-Sheet l .k 7 INVENTOR zwuellfiriuclla 42 4/ BY March 10, 1942. s. F; ARBUCKLE 2,275,934

NOVELTY S IGN Filed April 9, 1937 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 11v VEN TOR 540711.227F flrlucile.

Tram/E155.

March 1942- s. F. ARBUCKLE 2,27 ,93

NOVELTY SIGN Filed April 9, 1957 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 iii-E INVENTOR SamuelFflr/ zzrilg.

A TTORNE Y5- Patented Mar. 10, 1942 T FFHC NOVELTY SIGN Samuel F.Arbuckle, Highland Park, Mich., as-

signor, by mesne assignments, to S. F. Arbuckle Management Corporation,Detroit, Mich., a

corporation of Michigan Application April 9, 1937, Serial No. 135,845

2 Claims.

My invention relates to signs and particularly to a method ofconstructing signs which provides a predetermined area of reflectedlight.

A metal indicium for reflecting light in a predetermined area fromreflecting surfaces which were formed thereon and joined by smoothcurves has been described and claimed in the patent to G. H. Coulter andmyself, No. 2,004,181, issued June 11, 1935, and assigned to theassignee of the present invention. In this construction a sheet ofmaterial was preformed in dies or rolls to provide frusto pyramidalprojections thereon, disposed in rows and joined by smooth curvedsurfaces. Light impinging from a source upon such reflecting surfaceswas directed into a predetermined area to provide a band of light whichwas visible to the observer as he passed therethrough or to provide avisible band as the sign or the source of light was moved relative tothe observer.

In practicing my present invention, I construct a sign from a sheet ofpliable material covered with a metal foil which is shaped to have thereflecting surfaces, by passing the composite sheet through rolls or bypressing the sheet between a pair of dies. The entire sheet may becovered in this manner with the reflecting surfaces and may thereafterbe formed into an indicium, or the indicium itself may be stamped fromthe sheet. Plastic material may be employed on which a sheet of foil isdisposed and rolled or pressed to provide the proper reflecting contoursto the foil surface. Sheets of the material may be formed on paper andprovided in rolls which may be out into an indicium or which may have asheet containing cutout portions disposed thereover to have the cutoutportions reflecting. Signs for billboards may be constructed having thedesired reflecting indicia thereon and furnished in rolls to be pasteddirectly to the face of the board.

The indicia having the reflecting surfaces made in this manner from foilmay be coated with a waterproof lacquer so that the surfaces will retaintheir reflecting properties and may be employed out of doors. The foilmay be stained to provide a color to the reflected light, and the signmay be suspended so that it will vibrate with a slight jar, or theagitation of the air, to cause the fluttering of the reflected light.The sign is preferably suspended in front of ablack background to havethe support invisible.

Accordingly, the main objects of my invention are; to constructreflecting material from a sheet having a metal foil secured thereto andformed to provide reflecting surfaces; to form a sheet having a metalfoil surface to provide reflecting impressions and depressions whichreflect the impinging rays of light into a predetermined zone; to placea sheet of metal foil over a plastic substance and form the substanceand foil into a plurality of reflecting surfaces which reflect lightinto a predetermined area; to apply a water-proof coating to a foilsurface to permit the use of such surface out of doors; to stain thesurface of a reflecting indicium to have the impinging white lightreflected in the color of said stain; to form sheet material withreflecting surfaces and cover said surface with a mat having cutoutportions through which the reflecting surfaces are visible; to provide abuilt-up sign from sheet material having indicia thereon, some of whichare reflecting, to be used on the face of the billboard; to suspend anindicium on a support which permits vibration of said indicium; and ingeneral to construct a sign or indicium having surfaces which reflectimpinging light in a predetermined area, which may be employed in signsfor indoorand outdoor use.

Other objects and features of novelty of my invention will be eitherspecifically pointed out or will become apparent when referring, for abetter understanding of my invention, to the following description takenin conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a plan view of an indicium having reflecting surfacesembodying features of my invention;

' Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional view of a structure illustrated inFig. 1 taken on the line 2-2 thereof; I v

Fig. 3 illustrates one form of construction of the material employed inthe indicium illustrated in Fig. 1;

.Fig. 4 illustrates another form which may be employed for constructingthev material upon which the reflecting surfaces are formed;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view structure, similar to that illustrated inFig. 1, showing another form of my invention;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view of a structure, similar to that illustratedin Fig. 4 showing another form that my invention may assume;

Fig. '7 is a view of the structure illustrated in Fig. 6, after anindicium is formed therein;

Fig. 8 is a view of the structure illustrated in Fig. 7, after the matabout the formed indicium has been removed;

Fig. 9 is a view of the structure illustrated in Fig. 8 after the matover the indicium has been removed;

Fig. 10 is a view of structure, similar to that illustrated in Fig. 7,showing another form thereof;

Fig. 11 is a view of the structure illustrated in Fig. 10, with adecorative coating applied thereto;

Fig. 12 is a viewof the structure illustrated in Fig. 11, after the matand coating has been removed from the indicium;

Fig. 13 is a plan view of the complete sign illustrated in part in Fig.12;

Fig. 14 is a sectional view of structure, showing a further applicationof my invention to signs;

Fig. 15 is a View of structure, similar to that illustrated in Fig. l,showing a further form thereof;

Fig. 16 is a view of structure, similar to that illustrated in Fig. 15,showing a further form which my invention may assume;

Fig. 17 is a view in side elevation of a sign and a method of mountingembodying features of my invention;

Fig. 18 is a plan view of structure, showing a modified form which myinvention may assume;

Fig. 19 is a sectional view of the structure illustrated in Fig. 18,taken on the line Iii-19 thereof;

Fig. 20 is a sectional View of the structure illustrated in Fig. 18,taken on the line 28-40 thereof;

Fig. 21 is a view of structure, similar to that illustrated in Fig. 18,showing a modified form thereof;

Fig. 22 is a sectional view of the structure illustrated in Fig. 21,taken on the line 22--22 thereof;

Fig. 23 is a view of structure, similar to that illustrated in Fig. 21,showing a further form thereof;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the structure illustrated in Fig. 23,taken on the line 24-44 thereof;

Fig. 25 is a plan view of a billboard upon which an indicium embodyingmy invention may be secured;

Fig. 26 is an enlarged sectional view of the structure illustrated inFig. 25, taken on the line 2626 thereof;

Fig. 27 is a view of the structure illustrated in Fig. 26 afterreflecting surfaces have been formed thereon;

Fig. 28 is a view of a portion of the billboard illustrated in Fig. 24with reflecting indicium secured thereto;

Fig. 29 is a view of structure, similar to that illustrated in Fig. 2'7showing a modified form thereof, and

Fig. 30 is a view of an indicium suspended before a black background toprovide a novel 1ighting effect thereto embodying a further feature ofmy invention.

In Fig. 1, I have illustrated an indicium forme as the letter R, havingits surfaces reflecting in a manner conforming to that set forth andclaimed in my above mentioned patent. Rows 3i] and 3| of arcuate shapeform reflecting surfaces 38 which are flattened at the top providingrounded apices 36. Light from a source impinging upon the surfaces isreflected in overlapping bands in a zone of predetermined width andbreadth; The area of the zone is regulated by the size and height of thearcuate surfaces forming the rows 36 and 3! and may be varied in widthand breadth. Preferably the width of the area is of greater dimensionthan the height, otherwise a material amount of the impinging rays wouldbe reflected over the head of an observer. As an observer moves throughsuch an area, the reflected light will encompass the observer andprovide a panoramic effect simultaneously to the indicia. Similarly ifthe indicium or the source of light is moved, the same panoramic effectwill obtain relative to the observer. In this manner, a series of theindicia will reflect simultaneously into the common zone and the entireindicia will be visible to the observer who is within the zone. Whenstraight prisms or similar fiat surfaces are employed without beingjoined by smooth curved surfaces, light is reflected as from flatsurfaces and concentration or continuous band is thereby provided.Indicia with such reflecting surfaces, illuminated from a single sourcewould not reflect light into a predetermined area and only portions ofthe indicia would be'visible to an observer.v When such structures areused, a plurality of sources of light are usually employed in an attemptto provide illumination of the entire indicia.

While in the above mentioned patent the indicia were formed in metalthrough a stamping or rolling process, the present method extends theinvention by forming the illuminated areas in various other materials.Applicant has par ticularly in mind the fabrication of an indicium frommaterials such as paper or cardboard having a thin metal foil disposedthereon. The assembled sheet is provided with the reflecting areas byrolls or by dies in a pressing operation.

In Figs. 2 and 1, I have illustrated a section of the material embodyinga cardboard 35 having a layer of adhesive 38 thereon which retains alayer of foil 31 secured to the cardboard, the foil having awater-proofing layer 38 which may be colored or transparent lacquer. Thecardboard 35 is constructed of fibers in such a manner as to receive andretain the impression from a roller or die to produce the undulationtherein, preferably of a shape and form as specified hereinabove. InFig. 4, I have illustrated the assembled material before the formingoperation which resulted in the structure illustrated in Fig. 2. Theindicium made from the material will refiect light into a predeterminedarea and will be protected from tarnishing by the water-proofing layer38 so that the fabricated material may be employed out of doors.

In Fig. 3, I have illustrated the layer of adhesive 36 securing thelayer of foil 38 to a backing element 33 of paper, all of which form athin paper-like assembly which may be provided in rolls from whichindicia may be cut or stamped. Such rolls may be'employed to cover anarea such as the walls of a room, a ceiling, the face of a billboard orthe like. It is to be understood that the material in Fig. 3 is pressedbetween dies or rolls to provide undulation in the surfaces, preferablyof the shape above pointed out.

In Fig. 5, I have illustrated a further form which my invention mayassume, that of disposing a layer of plastic material 4| on the siu'faceof abacking element 42,which may be paper, cardboard, the face of abillboard or building, and dispose thereover a layer of the metal foil37. By employing a pressing or rolling operation to produce theundulation 33 in the assembly, the material M will assume the shape ofsuch undulations and will then hardento provide a support to the foil31. A layer of protective coating 38 may bethen disposed over thesurface of the foil to protect it'against'the weather and provide asurface which may be readily cleaned.

In Figs. 6, '7, 8 and 9, I have shown another form which my inventionmay assume. In this instance a backing element 42 of metal, cardboard,paper or the like, has a layer of foil 31 secured thereto or securedover plastic material 4| thereon by an adhesive 36. A sheet of material,such as paper 43, is then secured to the foil by an adhesive 44 which ispreferably latex or similar substance which permits the sheet 43 to beremoved from the foil surface without destroying the reflectingproperties of the surface. This assembled structure is then formed tohave reflecting surfaces over predetermined areas preferably in the formof an indicium either by forming the backing element as in Fig. 2 orfrom the hardenable substance 41 as explained relative to Fig. 5. Paint,ink or the like is then applied to the surface to provide a decorationand/or additional indicium thereto.

When an indicium is stamped in the assembled element, the sheet material43 is preferably sheared at the edge of the indicium and the bordermaterial about the indicium is removed. Paint may then be sprayed overthe foil surface and the remaining portion of the sheet material 43covering the indicium. The layer of paper 43 may be removed thereafterfrom the indicium having the reflecting areas and the latex or othermaterial adhering thereto may be removed by a solvent. The resultingsign is illustrated in Fig. 9 wherein the area 45 about the indicium 46has been sprayed with paint leaving the indicium 46 reflecting.

InFigs. 10, 11 and 12, I have shown a similar construction wherein thepaint 4? is sprayed over the entire sheet 43. The portion of the sheetover I the indicium 45 is then removed to uncover the reflecting surfaceof the indicium. It is to be understood that the reflecting surfaces 46,which are exposed after the paper 43 has been removed, may be lacqueredor otherwise protected from the elements.

In Figs. 13 and 1'7, I have illustrated a sign 56 having a plurality ofindicia 5| embossed thereon. The base 52 of the sign is preferably madeof cardboard such as 35 having the indicia 5| pressed outwardlytherefrom with the foil reflecting surface disposed thereover. The base52 exposed about the indicia 5| may be the front surface of thecardboard with the foil removed, or may be any surface as abovedescribed relative to Figs. 6 to 12 inclusive. It is also within thepurview of my invention to provide a backing element or base plate 53 ofmetal, as illustrated in Fig. 14. The indicium 54 may also be of metalhaving its back surfaces coated with a suitable adhesive for securingthe indicium to the base plate 53..

In Fig. 15, I have illustrated a backing element 55 which may beofcardboard, metal or paper having a decorated face 60, on the surfaceof which the indicium of foil or metal 56 is secured by an adhesivematerial 36. The material 36 may be a hardenable plastic substancewhich, through a pressing or rolling operation i deformed to have thereflecting areas 33 formed on the surface of the indicium.

In Fig. 16, I have shown a similar structure to that illustrated in Fig.15 with the exception that the layer 38 of water-proofing material hasbeen disposed over the metal foil. This layer may be placed upon thefoil before or after the pressing or rolling operation to form thereflecting areas,

and it is to be understood that a sheetof Cellophane may be secured tothe foil to provide the necessary protective coating.

Referring again to Fig. 17, I have illustrated the sign 50 as beingmounted on a plurality of springs 51 to provide vibration for the sign,Any vibration of the support for the spring causes a vibration of thesign and a resulting flicker to the reflected light which attracts theeye of an observer. Positive means such as a motor, fan or the like maybe employed to provide the desired vibration to the sign to attract anobservers attention.

In Figs. 18, 19 and 20, I have shown another form which my reflectingareas may assume. A plurality of semi-spherical segments 58 are formedin a sheet of material in a manner'as above described. The segments 58present smooth arcuate faces for receiving and reflecting light. Fromleft to right as viewed in the fig ure, the segments 58 have an arcuateform 59 which are joined by a concave arcuate portion 6|. All of theimpinging rays falling upon the arcuate surfaces 59 and 6| will bereflected into a zone of predetermined width providing a continuous bandof light therein. In viewing the formations 58 from top to bottom of thesheet as illustrated in Fig. 20, the end portions 62 are truncated,having the sides disposed perpendicularly and joined with a surface 63to provide reflecting areas which direct the impinging rays of lightinto a zone of less breadth than the width produced by the longerarcuate surfaces 59 as Viewed in Fig, 19. As a result, the height of thearea in which the reflecting rays are directed is materially less thanthe width thereof. In this manner the reflected light will be disposedin a rectangular area providing a greater length of vision to a passingobserver while retaining the same intensity by eliminating the wastedreflected rays which would otherwise pass over the observers head.

In Figs. 21 and 22, I have illustrated a plurality of arcuate surfaceswhich are joined together to provide rows of convex and concavereflecting areas. The material disposed between the dies and pressedtherebetween will provide the sinuous form. The area of reflected lightfrom such surfaces may be controlled by properly selecting the radius ofthe arc and relating the radius to the height of the are 66. By reducingthe radius or the height of the are or both, the area of reflected lightis likewise reduced and a greater concentration of the impinging rays oflight is reflected into the area selected. I have in mind employing arcshaving a radius as small as 1 6 of an inch or less and having a heightof are less than 3 g of an inch. It is to be understood however thatlarger radius and heights of arc may be employed for the larger signs.

In Figs. 23 and 24, I have shown a further form which my invention mayassume, that of employing concave arcuate surfaces 69 which are joinedby convexly shaped portions H. These may .be disposed adjacent to eachother as illustrated in 23 or may be spaced to increase the effectivereflecting'area of the surfaces H by increasing the arc thereof.Whenever the are H is increased to equal that of the arc 69, surfaces asabove described relative to Figs. 20 and 21 will then be provided. Inany of the figures it is to be understood that the pressing or rollingoperation may be preformed directly on a metal sheet or on thefabricated sheet more specifically pointed out hereinabove.

In Fig. 25, I have illustrated a billboard or other similar sign 13having a central portion 14 which is to be provided with indicia whichreflect light in accordance with my invention. InFig. 26, I haveillustrated a paper backing element 15 covered with foil 16 havingreflecting areas 33 which is secured to the face of the board by pastein a well known manner. The foil having the reflecting surfaces ispreferably waterproofed with Cellophane, lacquer or other protectivematerial so as to retain its brilliancy under changing atmosphericconditions. Itis to be understood, however, that when desirable thelacquer may be applied to the face of the letters after the roll ofmaterial has been secured to the board face.

In Figs. 27, 28 and 29, I have showna further form which my inventionmay assume, that of applying the hardenable plastic :material 43 to theface of the board and applying the foil directly thereover and through apressing or, preferably, a rolling operation form the plastic materialand foil into reflecting areas 33. Blanked out sheets 11 may then beplaced over the foil and a protective layer 18 of Cellophane, varnish, I

lacquer or the like then applied over the ass'embled elements. Separateindicium such as the letters D, O, D, G, E, and the'like may be providedflat and pasted or otherwise secured to the face of the sign orbillboard. Indicia or a single indicium may be provided also in rollsand applied to the billboard or sign in a well known manner.

Referring to Fig. 30 I have shown a further novel arrangement of myindicium. A reflecting may be provided to cause the indicium to swing onits support and thereby provide a twinkling light which will immediatelyattract an cbservers attention.

In all of the various constructions, it is to be understood that thefabricated elements may be provided in sheets to the trade to beemployed on the walls or ceiling of rooms and the like, to cut intoindicium or to be covered by a sheet having blanked out indicia. Thereflecting areas may be water-proofed by a transparent substance such aslacquer, Cellophane or the like and coloring matter may be added theretoto provide colored reflected light to an observer. The indicium formedin this manner has the desirable feature of reflecting all of theimpinging light rays into a restricted area which has beenpredetermined.

While I have described and illustrated various embodiments of myinvention, it will be apparent to thos skilled in the art that variouschanges, emissions, additions, and substitutions may be made th'ereinwithout departing from the spirit and scope of my invention as set forthin the accompanying claims.

What I claim is:

l. A reflecting element including, in combination, a base member, aplastic substance on the surface of said base member, a foil sheetdisposed on said plastic substance, a plurality of embossed areas formedin said foil and plastic substance, and a transparent protective coatingon said embossed foil areas.

2. A reflecting element including, in combination,,a base member, aplastic substance on the surface of the base member, a foil sheetdisposed on said lastic substance, an opaque mat applied to said foil,embossed areas in the shape of an indicium formed in said assembled mat,foil, and plastic material, the portion of the mat covering saidindicium being removed to expose the embossed foil areas in the shape ofsaid indicium. SAMUEL F. ARBUCKLE.

